The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-10-06
IN A TRAP.
An Adventure with Three Indians
and Two Bears.


H and Two Bears.
had been camped for month in
the Wind River Mountains, Wyoming,
near the headwaters of Green River.
before got an Indian alarm. I had
come up from Fort Bridger with pack
mule and plenty of traps and pro-
visions, and by travelling mostly at
night and taking every pains to hide
nv trail had escaped the attention of
the redskins. Having gained the up
per end Of the valley, l found safe
spot for the mule and plenty Of game
for my traps. For the first two weeks
| did not discharge my rifle once. /
was trapping for fur, and what fresh
meat needed / killed with the bow
and arrow In twenty-five days I had
a mule load Of furs. I had but to set
my traps and wait little. 1t must
have been years since any one had
hunted or trapped in that valley, for
tho hares would scarcely run away,
and on three or four occasions black
tailed deer stopped at half pistol shot
end gazcd at me as if they had never
seen human being before.
The discovery which so vexed and
alarmed rue was made early in the
morning. Il had my camp close in to
the base of the mountains on the east
side Of the valley. while the mule was
hidden on the west side, about opposite.
had inclosed him in about half an
acre Of ground, on which there was
spring, by building up a light brush
fence and by hopping him, and it had
been my custom to visit him at least
every other day. My furs were stored
In cave forty rods above my camp as
fast as accumulated, and / had
neglected no precaution which expert
ence could suggest. Each morning it
was my custom to climb to a ledge of
rocks overhanging my camp and take
acareful survey of the valley through
afeld glass which l had carried for
years. On this occasion had scarcely
turned the glass down the valley when
| discovered three Indians, each
mounted. and pack horse following.
They were not in war dress, but three
bucks who had come into the valley on
the same errand as myself.
Twas boiling mad over the advent of
my visitors. All my luck was gone in
moment, and might consider it a
great stroke Of fortune if got out
alive, and left them my mule and furs.
Inc fellows were ten miles away when
1rst sighted them, and / had little
nme to reflect on my course. They
would certainly come up the valley as
ugh as my camp, and it was certain
that ! would have to move. The idea
o. giving up all / had gained and
sneaking off empty-handed was too re-
pugnant to be acted on, and after l had
spent ten minutes watching the trio, 1
descended the ledge with firm deter
mlnation not to leave the valley. 1 had
not yet lighted fire to prepare my
breakfast. ! gathered up all the brands,
covered the ashes with leaves and dirt,
ana worked for quarter of an hour to
ooliterate all signs of the camp. NV
mrs in the cave must take their chances.
TWAS well hidden spot, and the In
vans might or might not discover it.
~ destination was gulch or canyon,
nile further up the valley, and on
my side OF 1t. l had twice passed the
entrance, but had never explored the
guleh. 1t doubtless contained some
1aing place or point of advantage,
snd ! would be forced to seek shelter
doing. '' ''>'
Inc redskins were coming up the
saiiey at = slow pace, and Ihad entered
'ne guich half an hour before they were
opposite my camp. Standing at the
mouth Of the gulch I could see them
.e,s plainly. From their movements
!uaged they had never been in the val
~ before, or at least not as high
Y While they were not looking
~ hgns OF white men, and had
70 suspicious Of my presence. their
M1sHA-eyes soon made q discovery.
saey ran on to footprint, an over.
laed stone, or some other proof ol
e presence Of human being, and 9
ss%ent later they swerved across the
sAsy and entered the very thicket
sasre my mule was concealed. l was
,r II now. The discovery Of the
.a aa's would put them on to me, and the
49, 49, hunters after game would be
,s ,s .aree warriors after my scalp.
ssn.iy abandoned all hope of saving
" my property and started off W